Seating assembly

ABSTRACT

A lift mechanism for a vehicle seating assembly comprises a gear assembly that includes a first gear and a second gear. A mounting bracket is fixedly coupled to a vehicle and shares a common axis with the first gear, wherein the first and second gears are positionable in a fixedly coupled arrangement at an initial location relative to the mounting bracket or at a final location relative to the mounting bracket, such that, when the first and second gears are in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the initial location relative to the mounting bracket, the seating assembly is in a sitting position, and when the first and second gears are in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the final location relative to the mounting bracket, the seating assembly is in a standing position.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle seating assembly,and more specifically to a vehicle seating assembly that may be arrangedin different positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A vehicle seating assembly may have features that allow the vehicleseating assembly to be arranged in different positions.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a lift mechanism fora vehicle seating assembly comprises a gear assembly that includes afirst gear and a second gear. A mounting bracket is fixedly coupled to avehicle and shares a common axis with the first gear, wherein the firstand second gears are positionable in a fixedly coupled arrangement at aninitial location relative to the mounting bracket or at a final locationrelative to the mounting bracket, such that, when the first and secondgears are in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the initial locationrelative to the mounting bracket, the seating assembly is in a sittingposition, and when the first and second gears are in the fixedly coupledarrangement at the final location relative to the mounting bracket, theseating assembly is in a standing position.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one ora combination of the following features:

-   -   the first gear includes a sector gear, and the second gear        includes a pinion gear;    -   the initial location relative to the mounting bracket is at a        first end of a cutaway portion in the mounting bracket, and the        final location relative to the mounting bracket is at a second        end of the cutaway portion in the mounting bracket;    -   a power actuator positions the first and second gears in the        fixedly coupled arrangement at the initial location relative to        the mounting bracket and positions the first and second gears in        the fixedly coupled arrangement at the final location relative        to the mounting bracket; and    -   a manual actuator positions the first and second gears in the        fixedly coupled arrangement at the initial location relative to        the mounting bracket and positions the first and second gears in        the fixedly coupled arrangement at the final location relative        to the mounting bracket.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicleseating assembly comprises a seat pivotably coupled to a vehicle at apivotable coupling disposed at a forward portion of the seat, a liftmechanism disposed between the seat and the vehicle which is configuredto rotate the seat around the pivotable coupling from a sitting positionto a standing position and includes a power actuator assembly and amanual actuator assembly.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any oneor a combination of the following features:

-   -   the lift mechanism comprises a gear assembly having a sector        gear and a pinion gear;    -   the power actuator assembly incudes a pinion gear coupled to a        power actuator and rotatable along the sector gear to displace        the vehicle seating assembly from the first position to the        second position; and    -   the manual actuator assembly includes pin assembly that        maintains the sector gear in an initial position relative to a        mounting bracket when the vehicle seating assembly is in the        sitting position and maintains the sector gear in a final        position relative to the mounting bracket when the vehicle        seating assembly is in the standing position.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seatingassembly includes an elongated member disposed at a forward portion of aseat and extends between opposing side brackets of the seat with amounting bracket fixedly coupled to the vehicle seating assembly and asector gear arrangeable in an attached relationship or a detachedrelationship relative to the mounting bracket. A pinion gear is operablycoupled with the sector gear. The vehicle seating assembly furtherincludes a first actuator coupled to a side bracket of the seat andconfigured to direct the pinion gear and a second actuator, wherein thefirst actuator is engageable to rotate the pinion gear along the sectorgear to move the vehicle seating assembly between a first position and asecond position. The second actuator is engageable to position thesector gear in a detached relationship relative to the mounting bracketto release the sector gear to rotate around the elongated member betweenan initial position and a final position.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the disclosure can include any one ora combination of the following features:

-   -   the first actuator is a power actuator, and the second actuator        is a manual actuator;    -   the manual actuator includes a pin assembly;    -   the pin assembly includes a pin movable between a primary        position and a secondary position relative to the sector gear        and the mounting bracket;    -   in the primary position, the pin extends into a hole in the        sector gear to maintain the sector gear in an attached        relationship relative to the mounting bracket, and in the        secondary position, the pin is retracted from the hole in the        sector gear to maintain the sector gear in a detachable        relationship relative to the mounting bracket;    -   the hole includes a first hole and a second hole, wherein the        pin is insertable into the first hole to maintain the sector        gear in the attached relationship relative to the bracket when        the vehicle seating assembly is in the first position, and the        pin is insertable into the second hole to maintain the sector        gear in the fixed relationship relative to the bracket when the        vehicle seating assembly is in the second position;    -   the first position is a sitting position, and the second        position is a standing position;    -   a biasing member disposed proximate the elongated member and the        sector gear is biased to move the seating assembly from the        sitting position to the standing position in response to a        displacement of the pin from the primary position to the        secondary position;    -   the biasing member comprises a clock spring;    -   the manual actuator further comprises a cable assembly, wherein        the cable assembly is coupled to the pin assembly;    -   the pin assembly comprises a lever coupled to the cable        assembly, wherein when a tension force is exerted on the cable        assembly, the lever moves the pin from a primary position to a        secondary position;    -   the lever includes a first end for receiving a bushing of the        cable assembly and a second end for receiving the pin;    -   the pin assembly includes a biasing member for moving the pin        from the secondary position to the primary position when the pin        is disposed over the hole of the sector gear; and    -   the second actuator comprises a pin assembly.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a vehicle having a pluralityof seating assemblies in a first configuration;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of a vehicle having a pluralityof seating assemblies in a second configuration;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a floor of a vehicle including aplurality of seating assemblies and a track assembly;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a seating assembly frame coupledto rails in a sitting position;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the seating assembly frame coupledto rails of FIG. 4 in a standing position;

FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of a seating assembly framecoupled to rails in a sitting position;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the seating assembly framecoupled to rails of FIG. 6 in a standing position;

FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view of a seating assembly frame and aseat pan in a sitting position;

FIG. 9 is a left side elevational view of a lift mechanism of a seatingassembly and a rail in a sitting position;

FIG. 10 is left side elevational view of a lift mechanism and a latchassembly of a seating assembly in a sitting position;

FIG. 11 is a left side elevational view of the lift mechanism and thelatch mechanism of the seating assembly in a sitting position of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is an left side elevational assembly view of the lift mechanismand the latch mechanism of the seating assembly in a sitting position ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a left side elevational view of a lift mechanism, a latchmechanism, and a side bracket;

FIG. 14 is a left side elevational view of a lift mechanism of a seatingassembly frame and a seat pan in a standing position;

FIG. 15 is a left side elevational view of a lift mechanism of a seatingassembly frame in the standing position of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a left side elevational view of a portion of the liftmechanism of a seating assembly frame in the standing position of FIG.14;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a pin assembly of the liftmechanism taken along line XVII-XVII of FIG. 15 with the pin in theprimary or extended position;

FIG. 18 is a left side elevational view of a seating assembly in astanding position;

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of a portion of the lift mechanism ofthe seating assembly in a standing position;

FIG. 20 is a left side elevational view of the lift mechanism of theseating assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a left side elevational view of portions of the liftmechanism of the seating assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG. 20with the pin in the secondary or withdrawn position;

FIG. 23 is a front perspective assembly view of the lift mechanism, thelatch mechanism, and the elongated member;

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective assembly view of the lift mechanism, thelatch assembly, and the elongated member;

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the lift mechanism;

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the lift mechanism;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of the lift mechanism and a rail;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the arm assembly when the pin is in aprimary or extended position;

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the arm assembly when the pin is in asecondary or withdrawn position;

FIG. 30 is a side perspective view of the cable assemblies in the seatfor operating the latch assemblies and the pin assembly;

FIG. 31 is a top perspective view of the cable assemblies in the seatfor operating the latch mechanisms and the pin assembly;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of a seating assembly control module;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of parts of the seat including cableassemblies for operating the latch mechanisms and the pin assembly

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of parts of the seat and the mountingassembly showing the link in an initial position, the latch assembliesin an untucked position, and the seat in a sitting position; and

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of parts of the seat disposed on railsshowing the link in a final position, the latch assemblies in a tuckedposition, and the seat in a standing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in vehicle 18 ofFIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assumevarious alternative orientations, except where expressly specified tothe contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

With reference to the seating assembly 10 described below and shown inthe attached figures, a seating assembly 10 may be described from thevantage point of a passenger 12 seated in the seating assembly 10. Theside of a seating assembly 10 disposed on a right side of a seatedpassenger 12 may be referred to as a right side of the seating assembly10. The side of a seating assembly 10 disposed on a left side of aseated passenger 12 may be referred to as a left side of the seatingassembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a vehicle seating assembly 10 may includevarious features for providing movability of the vehicle seatingassembly 10. The vehicle seating assembly 10 may include a trackassembly 14 for translating the vehicle seating assembly 10 fore and aftwithin the vehicle 18. The track assembly 14 may be a long trackassembly 14 or a short track assembly 14 for full or partial movement ofthe seating assembly 10 within the vehicle 18, respectively. The seatingassembly 10 may further include a platform 22 extending between tracks26 of the track assembly 14. The platform 22 and the track assembly 14may be integrated into the vehicle underbody frame 30 to providestructural stiffness and side-impact performance. The platform 22 mayinclude cross members 34 configured to allow the structural stiffnessneeded for side-impact performance to move with the seating assembly 10,allowing the seating assembly 10 to be moved into various positionswhile maintaining structural support. Further, the platform 22 may alsoinclude a universal attachment system 38 to allow various seatingassemblies 10 to couple with the platform 22 including, for example,rotating seating assemblies. Also, a seating assembly 10 may have a base42 that may be a module that may be received by the universal attachmentsystem 38 of the platform 22. The platform 22 may include extendable, orwidening, cross members 34 that may be adjustable to configure theplatform 22 to receive bases 42 of various widths that may correspond toseating assemblies 10 of various widths.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle underbody frame 30 is shownhaving a plurality of seating assemblies 10. The vehicle underbody frame30 may include a floor panel 46 configured to support the plurality ofseating assemblies 10. The vehicle underbody frame 30 may furtherinclude a front area 50 and a rear area 54. One or more of the pluralityof seating assemblies 10 may be configured as the movable vehicleseating assembly 10. It is contemplated that the vehicle 18 may be anytype of vehicle, for example, a car, a truck, a van, or other vehicle.It is also contemplated that the vehicle 18 may be an autonomousvehicle. It is also contemplated that the concept set forth in thisdisclosure may be utilized in the second row 52 of seating assemblies 10of the vehicle 18. The concept may also be utilized in the first orthird rows 51, 53 of seating assemblies 10 of the vehicle 18.

A portion of the plurality of seating assemblies 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 isshown positioned within the front area 50 of the vehicle 18 with one ormore of the plurality of seating assemblies 10 being configured amovable vehicle seating assemblies 10. Another portion of the pluralityof seating assemblies 10 may be positioned elsewhere within the vehicle18. The plurality of seating assemblies 10 may be operably coupled tothe floor panel 46 of the vehicle 18 by track assemblies 14. Any one ofthe plurality of seating assemblies 10 may be configured as a movablevehicle seating assembly 10. The vehicle seating assemblies 10 may betranslatable along the respective track assembly 14 between a firstposition of the seating assembly 10 (FIG. 1) and a second position ofthe seating assembly 10 (FIG. 2). Additionally, the vehicle seatingassemblies 10 may be rotatable relative to the platform 22 using aswivel assembly (not shown). Where the vehicle seating assemblies 10 arerotatable, the vehicle seating assemblies 10 may further be movablebetween a forward facing position in the vehicle 18 (FIG. 1) and arearward facing position in the vehicle 18 (FIG. 2).

Referring now to FIG. 3, the seating assembly 10 may include a seat 60and a seatback 64. The seat 60 may be disposed above the base 42. Thebase 42 may be slidably coupled to the rails 164. The base 42 may have alow profile that is similar to the profile of the rails 164. The rails164 may be disposed in the tracks 26. In some examples, the tracks 26may define the rails 164. An assembly of parts 58 for securing the seat60 to the base 42 may be disposed between the seat 60 and the base 42.The seat 60 may include bolsters 62 that may be disposed on opposingsides of the seat 60. The seatback 64 may be pivotably coupled to theseat 60. A headrest 68 may be coupled to the seatback 64. The passenger12 may be restrained by a seat belt 70. According to various examples,the seating assembly 10 may include covers 72 positioned on either sideof the seating assembly 10.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, a floor cover 76 may be positionedabove and parallel to the floor panel 46 and may be configured toconceal the track assembly 14. The floor cover 76 may define a pluralityof slots 80. The plurality of slots 80 may be defined over the tracks 26of the track assembly 14, such that the platform 22 may extend at leastpartially through the plurality of slots 80 to couple to the trackassembly 14. Each of the slots 80 may be defined to have a lengthselected to allow movement of the seating assembly 10 between the firstposition of the seating assembly 10 (FIG. 1) and the second position ofthe seating assembly 10 (FIG. 2).

Referring again to FIG. 3, the floor cover 76 may further conceal acutout 84 of the floor panel 46. The cutout 84 may be configured tohouse the track assembly 14. The cutout 84 may include front and rearwalls 88, 92 and sidewalls 96, 100. The sidewalls 96, 100 may be spacedapart and may frame a void 104 in the cutout 84. The track assembly 14may be positioned within the void 104. In various examples, the platform22 may at least partially be positioned within the void 104 and thetrack assembly 14. The track assembly 14 may include guides 108positioned on first and second sides of the seating assembly 10 andoperably coupled with the cutout 84. The guides 108 may be positioned inpairs. Each guide 108 may be operably coupled with one of the sidewalls96, 100, such that the track assembly 14 is recessed within the cutout84, as the seating assembly 10 is translated between the first positionof the seating assembly 10 (FIG. 1) and the second position of theseating assembly 10 (FIG. 2).

It may be desirable for passengers 12 to have convenient egress from avehicle 18. A seating assembly 10 may be moved from a sitting position Ito a standing position II to provide space for a passenger 12 seatedbehind the seating assembly 10 to exit the vehicle 18. Additionally, aseating assembly 10 in the standing position I may be moved toward thefront of the vehicle 18 along rails 164. A passenger 12 may convenientlymove the seating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standingposition II by pressing a button (for example, activation button 372) toactivate a power actuator 188. Alternatively, a passenger 12 maymanually move the seating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to thestanding position II. A passenger 12 may manually move the seatingassembly 10 if power is not available or if the passenger 12 prefersmanual actuation to power actuation.

Additionally, when the seating assembly 10 is in the standing positionII, the latch assemblies 168 may be tucked along the side bracket 180 ofthe seat 60 for more convenient vehicle egress. The latch assemblies 168may be moved from an untucked position VII to a tucked position VIII asthe seating assembly 10 is moved from the sitting position I to thestanding position II. As such, obstructions during egress of a passenger12 from the vehicle 18 may be minimized. The positioning of the vehicleseating assembly 10 for convenient passenger egress from the vehicle 18may also provide a position for convenient passenger ingress or entryinto the vehicle 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1-35, a lift mechanism 124 for a vehicle seatingassembly 10 includes a gear assembly 142. The gear assembly 142 mayinclude a first gear and a second gear. A lift mechanism 124 may furtherinclude a mounting bracket 140 coupled to a vehicle 18 and sharing acommon axis 256 with the first gear, wherein the first and second gearsare positionable in a fixedly coupled arrangement at an initial locationA relative to the mounting bracket 140 or at a final location B relativeto the mounting bracket 140. When the first and second gears are in afixedly coupled arrangement at the initial location A relative to themounting bracket 140, the seating assembly 10 is in the sitting positionI. When the first and second gears are in a fixedly coupled arrangementat a final location B relative to the mounting bracket 140, the seatingassembly 10 is in the standing position II. In one example, the mountingbracket 140 may be fixedly coupled to a base 42 of a vehicle 18. In oneexample, the first gear may be a sector gear 144. In one example, thesecond gear may be a pinion gear 148. For power actuation, the fixedlycoupled arrangement may include an arrangement where the power actuator188 has ceased rotating the pinion gear 148 and has thus locked thepinion gear 148 to the sector gear 144. For manual actuation, thefixedly coupled arrangement may include an arrangement where the pin 220in the primary or extend position III extends into the sector gear 144to retain the sector gear 144 in a generally fixed position relative tothe mounting bracket 140.

Referring to FIGS. 1-35, a vehicle seating assembly 10 includes a seat60 pivotably coupled to a vehicle 18 at a pivotable coupling 120disposed at a forward portion 60A of the seat 60. The vehicle seatingassembly 10 also includes a lift mechanism 124 disposed between the seat60 and the vehicle 18. The lift mechanism 124 is configured to rotatethe seat 60 around the pivotable coupling 120 from a sitting position Ito a standing position II. The lift mechanism 124 includes a poweractuator assembly 128 and a manual actuator assembly 132. According toone example, the power actuator assembly 128 or the manual actuatorassembly 132 may be used to rotate the seat 60 around the pivotablecoupling 120 from the sitting position to the standing position.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-35, a vehicle seating assembly 10includes an elongated member 136 disposed at a forward portion 60A ofthe seat 60 and extending between opposing side brackets 180 of the seat60. A mounting bracket 140 is fixedly coupled to the vehicle seatingassembly 10. A sector gear 144 is arrangeable in an attachedrelationship or a detached relationship relative to the mounting bracket140. A pinion gear 148 is operably coupled with the sector gear 144. Afirst actuator is coupled to a side bracket 180 of the seat 60 andconfigured to drive the pinion gear 148. The vehicle seating assembly 10also includes a second actuator. The first actuator is engageable torotate the pinion gear 148 along the sector gear 144 to move the vehicleseating assembly 10 between a first position (for example, sittingposition I) and a second position (for example, standing position II).The second actuator is engageable to position the sector gear 144 in adetached relationship relative to the mounting bracket 140 to releasethe sector gear 144 to rotate around the elongated member 136 between aninitial position and a final position. In one example, the firstactuator may be a power actuator, and the second actuator may be amanual actuator (for example, arm 190 in communication with pin assembly224). In one example, the attached relationship may be defined by a pin220 being inserted into the sector gear 144 such that the pin 220 is inthe primary or inserted position III. In one example, the detachedrelationship may be defined by a pin 220 being removed from the sectorgear 144 such that the pin 220 is in the secondary or withdrawn positionIV.

Referring to FIG. 4, the seating assembly frame 156 is shown in thesitting position I. The sitting position I may also be referred to asthe design position. The seating assembly frame 156 may include a seatframe 160 and a seatback frame 162. The seatback frame 162 may bepivotably coupled to the tracks 26 of the track assembly 14. Aspreviously explained, the tracks 26 may include or be defined by rails164. The rails 164 may extend along the floor panel 46 of the vehicle18. The seating assembly 10 may be slidably coupled to rails 164. Theseating assembly 10 may include a lift mechanism 124 disposed at theleft side of the seating assembly 10. In various examples, the seatingassembly 10 may include lift mechanisms 124 disposed at the left andright sides of the seating assembly 10. In another example, the seatingassembly 10 may include a lift mechanism 124 disposed at a right side ofthe seating assembly 10. The seating assembly 10 may include a pair oflatch assemblies 168 disposed at the rear portion 60B of the seat 60.The pair of latch assemblies 168 may be disposed on the left and rightsides of the seating assembly 10. The latch assemblies 168 may bedetachable from mount assemblies 174 disposed on, in, or proximate therails 164 to pivot the seat 60 about an axis 256 defined by the liftmechanism 124 disposed at the forward portion 60A of the seat 60. Thelatch assemblies 168 may include a latching claw 172. The mount assembly174 may include a striker 176. The seating assembly frame 156 mayinclude side brackets 180 disposed on opposing sides of the seat frame160. The seating assembly 10 may also include a carrier 184 extendingaway from the coupling of the seat 60 and the seatback 64. The carrier184 may be a cantilevered member. The carrier 184 may support a seat pan208 and/or a seat cushion.

Referring to FIG. 5, the seating assembly frame 156 is shown in astanding position II. The rear portion 60B of the seat 60 is shownreleased from the rails 164 disposed at the back of the seat 60. Theseating assembly 10 may be moved from the sitting position I to thestanding position II by power actuation or manual actuation. The seatingassembly 10 may be moved from the standing position II to the sittingposition I through power actuation or manual actuation.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, power actuation of the seatingassembly 10 may occur when a power actuator 188 moves the seat 60 inresponse to an input 368. The input 368 may include an activation signalfrom the passenger 12 (for example, pressing an activation button 372(FIG. 32) on or near the seating assembly 10, and/or remote actuation bya key fob). The input 368 may also include an activation signalgenerated in response to a predetermined input (for example, opening ofa vehicle door and detection of a passenger 12 proximate the vehicledoor, detection of a passenger 12 in the third row 53 of seatingassemblies 10 behind a vehicle seating assembly 10 disposed in a secondrow 52, and/or detection of an arrival destination of the passenger 12).During power actuation, a power actuator 188, such as a motor, may beused to release the latch assemblies 168 from the mount assemblies 174and to move the seating assembly 10 between the sitting position I andthe standing position II and to intermittent positions between thesitting position I and the standing position II.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, manual actuation of the seatingassembly 10 may occur when a passenger 12 pulls an arm 190 (FIGS. 28-30)proximate the seating assembly 10 to release the latch assemblies 168from the mount assemblies 174 and to release a pin 220 in the liftmechanism 124 so that a force F1 (FIG. 18) exerted by a passenger 12 onthe seatback 64 and/or a force F2 (FIG. 21) generated by a biasingmember (clock spring 236) coupled to the lift mechanism 124 may move theseating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standing positionII. Similarly, a passenger 12 may manually move the seating assembly 10from the standing position II to the sitting position I by pulling thearm 190 proximate the seating assembly 10 to release the pin 220 in thelift mechanism 124 so that a force F3 (FIG. 18) exerted by the passenger12 on the seating assembly 10 may return the seating assembly 10 to thesitting position I. The latching claws 172 of the latch assemblies 168may engage the strikers 176 of the mount assemblies 174 as the seatingassembly 10 is returned to the sitting position I from the standingposition II.

Referring to FIG. 6, a left side elevational view of the seatingassembly frame 156 in a sitting position I is shown. The seatingassembly frame 156 may be coupled to the rails 164.

Referring to FIG. 7, a left side elevational view of the seatingassembly frame 156 in a standing position II and coupled to the rails164 is shown. Arrows 196 and 200 show the rotation of the seatingassembly frame 156 around the axis of rotation 256 of the lift mechanism124. Arrow 204 shows motions of the seating assembly 10 along the rails164 in a direction forward of the seating assembly 10 and in a directionrearward of the seating assembly 10. A passenger 12 seated in the thirdrow 53 of the vehicle 18 may move the seating assembly 10 from thesitting position I to the standing position II by using the poweractuator 188 or the manual actuator (for example, arm 190 incommunication with pin assembly 224). After the seating assembly 10 ismoved to the standing position II, the passenger 12 seated in the thirdrow 53 may have egress space to climb out of the vehicle 18. To provideadditional egress space, a passenger 12 may move the seating assembly 10in the standing position II along the rails 164 in a direction forwardof the seating assembly 10, as shown by arrow 204. Arrows 206 and 207show positioning of the latch assembly 168 from a position transverse tothe side bracket 180 (FIG. 6) to a position along the side bracket 180(FIG. 7). As such, a passenger 12 may conveniently position the seatingassembly 10 to accommodate passenger 12 egress and ingress preferences.

With reference to FIGS. 8-17, details of the seating assembly 10 areshown as the seating assembly 10 moves from the sitting position I tothe standing position II due to a power actuation. Referring to FIG. 8,the seating assembly 10 is shown in the sitting position I. A seat pan208 may be disposed over the carrier 184. The lift mechanism may bedisposed proximate the front of the side bracket 180.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8-17, the lift mechanism 124 is shownwhen the seating assembly 10 is in the sitting position I. The liftmechanism 124 may be coupled to the rail 164. The lift mechanism 124 mayinclude a pin assembly 224 in communication with a manual actuator (forexample, arm 190 in communication with pin assembly 224), a sector gear144, a pinion gear 148 coupled to a power actuator 188, and a mountingbracket 140. The power actuator 188 may drive a pinion gear 148. Thepinion gear 148 may include a plurality of equally spaced teeth 212A. Amounting bracket 140 may be fixed to the seat frame 160 and the base 42.A pin assembly 224 may be mounted to the mounting bracket 140 at a mount324. The mounting bracket 140 may include a hole 216 for receiving a pin220 that may be coupled to the pin assembly 224. During use of the poweractuator 188, the pin 220 may extend through the mounting bracket 140and a sector gear 144 disposed behind the mounting bracket 140. As such,the pin 220 may retain the sector gear 144 in a fixed position relativeto the mounting bracket 140. The pin 220 may be in a primary or extendedposition III (FIG. 17). In the primary or extended position III of thepin 220 shown in FIG. 9, the pin 220 may extend into the hole 216 of themounting bracket 140 and the hole 228 (FIG. 11) of the sector gear 144to maintain the mounting bracket 140 in a fixed relationship to thesector gear 144. A biasing member (clock spring 236) may be disposed onthe outside of the lift mechanism 124. The mounting bracket 140 mayinclude a cutaway portion 240 for limiting the movement of the piniongear 148. The cutaway portion 240 may have two ends 244, 248. The piniongear 148 is shown at the end 244 of the cutaway portion 240. The sectorgear 144 and the pinion gear 148 may be positioned in a fixedly coupledarrangement at the initial location A relative to the mounting bracket140.

With reference to FIG. 10, the lift mechanism 124 is shown with thelatch assembly 168 when the seating assembly 10 is in the sittingposition I. The latch assembly 168 is shown engaged with the striker176. With continued reference to FIG. 10, the link 316 is shownextending between the lift mechanism 124 and the latch assembly 168. Asthe power actuator 188 rotates the pinion gear 148 around the sectorgear 144 (FIGS. 11, 12), the travel of the pinion gear 148 may move theseating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standing positionII.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the lift mechanism 124 is again shown with thelatch assembly 168 when the seating assembly 10 is in the sittingposition I. The gear assembly 142 may move the seating assembly 10between the sitting position I and the standing position II. The gearassembly 142 may include a sector gear 144 and a pinion gear 148. Thesector gear 144 may include holes 228 and 232 for receiving the pin 220of the pin assembly 224. During power actuation by the pinion gear 148,the pin 220 may remain in the primary or extended position III(extending through the hole 216 in the mounting bracket 140 and throughthe hole 228 in the sector gear 144).

With continued reference to FIG. 11, as will be further explained laterherein, during manual actuation of the lift mechanism 124 (shown inFIGS. 18-22 and 28-30) to move the seating assembly 10 from the sittingposition I to the standing position II, the sector gear 144 and themounting bracket 140 may initially be in a fixed coupled arrangement atthe initial location A (FIG. 11). A passenger 12 may pull on an arm 190to move the pin 220 to a secondary or withdrawn position IV (withdrawnfrom the hole 228 in the sector gear 144), and the sector gear 144 andthe pinion gear 148 in a fixed coupled arrangement may be rotatableabout the lift mechanism axis 256 while the pin is in the secondary orwithdrawn position IV. During the manual actuation, the pin 220 maythereafter be positioned in a primary or extended position III in thehole 216 in the mounting bracket 140 and the hole 232 in the sector gear144 so that the sector gear 144 and the pinion gear 148 may bepositioned in a fixedly coupled arrangement at a final location B (FIGS.20-21) relative to the mounting bracket 140. As such, during manualactuation, the sector gear 144 and the pinion gear 148 may be positionedin a fixedly coupled arrangement at the initial location A (FIG. 11)relative to the mounting bracket 140 when the seating assembly 10 is inthe sitting position I and in a final location B (FIGS. 20-21) relativeto the mounting bracket 140 when the seating assembly 10 is in thestanding position II.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an assembly view of the lift mechanism 124 isshown when the seating assembly 10 is in the sitting position I. Thelatch assembly 168 is also shown. The mounting bracket 140, the pinassembly 224, and the biasing member (clock spring 236) are shownseparately from the gear assembly 142. The sector gear 144 may include acentral portion 260 configured to be aligned with the axis of rotation256 defined by the elongated member 136. The axis of rotation 256 may bereferred to as the axis of rotation 256 of the lift mechanism 124. Thecentral portion 260 may include an opening. The opening in the centralportion 260 may be coupled to the elongated member 136.

With continued reference to FIG. 12, when the power actuator 188 is usedto move the pinion gear 148 along the sector gear 144, the sector gear144 may remain fixed to the mounting bracket 140 and may negligiblyrotate about the axis of rotation 256 of the lift mechanism 124. Aspreviously stated, the sector gear 144 may remain fixed to the mountingbracket 140 during power actuation of the vehicle seating assembly 10because the pin 220 from the pin assembly 224 may extend through thehole 216 of the mounting bracket 140 and the hole 228 of the sector gear144. As such, the pin 220 may be in the primary or extended position IIIin hole 228 of the sector gear 144 during power actuation.

Referring now to FIG. 13, parts of the seat 60 are shown in the sittingposition I. The carrier 184 may extend away from the side bracket 180.The latch assembly 168 may be engaged with the mount assembly 174.

With reference now to FIG. 14, the seating assembly 10 in a standingposition II is shown with a seat pan 208 disposed on the carrier 184.The power actuator 188 has been activated to move the seating assembly10 from the sitting position I to the standing position II.

Referring to FIG. 15, the configuration of the lift mechanism 124 isshown when the seating assembly 10 has been moved to the standingposition II due to power actuation of the seating assembly 10. Thepinion gear 148 is at the end 248 of the cutaway portion 240 of themounting bracket 140. The pinion gear 148 has rotated along the sectorgear 144 from the end 244 of the cutaway portion 240 of the mountingbracket 140 to the end 248 of the cutaway portion 240 of the mountingbracket 140. The displacement of the side bracket 180 as the pinion gear148 is rotated along the sector gear 144 from end 244 of the cutawayportion 240 to end 248 of the cutaway portion 240 may cause the seatingassembly 10 to move from the sitting position I to the standing positionII. The sector gear 144 and the pinion gear 148 may be positioned in afixedly coupled arrangement at the final location B relative to themounting bracket 140.

Referring to FIG. 16, another view of the parts of the lift mechanism124 is shown when the seating assembly 10 has been moved to the standingposition II due to power actuation.

Referring to FIG. 17, a cross-sectional view of the pin assembly 224,the mounting bracket 140, and the sector gear 144 is shown when the pin220 is in the primary or extended position III. The pin assembly 224 mayinclude a first bracket 280, a second bracket 284, a pin 220, and abiasing member (spring 264). The first bracket 280 may be joined to asecond bracket 284 at the joinder portion 288. The pin 220 may extendthrough apertures in the first bracket 280 and the second bracket 284.The pin 220 may include a tapered end 300. In one example, the taperedend 300 may have an angle α of approximately 2 degrees to approximately15 degrees, and ideally approximately 5.5 degrees. The pin 220 mayinclude a collar portion 296 that may abut the mounting bracket 140 whenthe pin 220 is in the primary or extended position III. The spring 264may extend between the collar portion 296 of the pin 220 and the secondbracket 284. The spring 264 may be a compressible coil spring. Thespring 264 is shown in the extended position in FIG. 17. The pin 220 mayinclude a recess 304 that may extend around an end of the pin 220. Therecess 304 may allow the pin release lever 306 to form a collar-like fitaround the pin 220. In the example shown, the pin 220 may be describedas being in a primary or extended position III. In the primary orextended position III, the pin 220 may extend into the hole 216 in themounting bracket 140 and a hole 228 or a hole 232 in the sector gear 144to maintain the sector gear 144 in an attached relationship relative tothe mounting bracket 140.

As such, the arrangement of components of the lift mechanism 124 duringpower actuation of the seating assembly 10 between the sitting positionI and the standing position II is shown in FIGS. 8-17.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-22, the seating assembly 10 is shown in thestanding position II when the seating assembly 10 is moved from thesitting position I to the standing position II with manual actuation. Aspreviously stated, a passenger 12 may use manual actuation instead ofpower actuation to move the seating assembly 10 from the sittingposition I to the standing position II. Referring to FIG. 18, uponmanual actuation by pulling the arm 190 (FIGS. 28-30), the latchassemblies 168 may disengage from the mounting assemblies 174 and apassenger 12 may exert a manual force F1 on the seating assembly 10 tomove the seating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standingposition II.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the lift mechanism 124. The liftmechanism 124 may include an elongated member 136 extending inward fromthe sector gear 144. The sector gear 144 may be rotatable around theelongated member 136. A linkage 312 may provide for rotatable couplingof the link 316 to the elongated member 136. A linkage 312 may rotateabout the elongated member 136.

FIG. 20 shows parts of the lift mechanism 124 when the seating assembly10 has been moved to the standing position II using manual actuation.Gear assembly 142 is shown. The pin 220 may extend through the hole 216of the mounting bracket 140 and the hole 232 of the sector gear 144. Amount 324 may secure the pin assembly 224 to the mounting bracket 140.The sector gear 144 and the pinion gear 148 may be positioned in afixedly coupled arrangement at the final location B relative to themounting bracket 140.

FIG. 21 shows parts of the lift mechanism 124 when the seating assembly10 has been moved to the standing position II using manual actuation. Aspreviously stated, the sector gear 144 and the pinion gear 148 may bepositioned in a fixedly coupled arrangement at the final location Brelative to the mounting bracket 140.

Referring to FIG. 22, a cross-sectional view of the pin assembly 224,the mounting bracket 140, and the sector gear 144 is shown when the pin220 is moved to the secondary or withdrawn position IV to allow forrotation of the sector gear 144 around the elongated member 136. A forceF4 applied to the pin release lever 306 may cause the pin 220 to movefrom the primary or extended position III (FIG. 17) to the secondary orwithdrawn position IV in the direction shown by arrow 308. In thesecondary or withdrawn position IV, the coil spring 264 may becompressed between the collar portion 296 of the pin 220 and the secondbracket 284. As such, FIGS. 18-22 show the position of the liftmechanism parts during manual actuation of the lift mechanism 124.

With reference to FIGS. 23-27, additional views of the seating assembly10 show components of the seating assembly 10. Referring to FIG. 23,parts of the seating assembly 10 as they are arranged when the seatingassembly 10 is in the sitting position I are shown. The elongated member136 may extend between the two mounting brackets 140.

Referring to FIG. 24, another view of the seating assembly 10 parts asthey are arranged in the sitting position I is shown. The mountingbracket 140 and the power actuator 188 are shown. The link 316 is shown.A latch assembly 168 and striker 176 are also shown.

Referring now to FIG. 25, an exploded view of the lift mechanism 124 isshown. A fastener (screw 328 in the example shown) and a washer 332 arealso shown. The screw 328 and the washer 332 may be used to attach themounting bracket 140 to the elongated member 136. The mounting bracket140 may include a flat base portion 336 for securing the mountingbracket 140 to the rail 164, base 42, or other part of the vehicle 18. Aflange 340 may extend away from the flat base portion 336. The flange340 may include the cutaway portion 240 of the mounting bracket 140. Theclock spring 236 may include an end 342 that may engage an extension 346that may extend from the mounting bracket 140.

With reference to FIG. 26, the pin 220 is shown in a primary or extendedposition III of in the sector gear 144. The pin assembly 224 and the pinrelease lever 306 are shown.

Referring now to FIG. 27, a perspective view of the lift mechanism 124is shown. The cable assembly 344 that may exert a force on the pin 220to move the pin 220 from the primary or extended position III to thesecondary or withdrawn position IV is shown. An end of the cableassembly 344 may extend through the first bracket 280 and the secondbracket 284 of the pin assembly 224. The cable assembly 344 may includea bushing coupling the cable assembly 344 to the pin release lever 306of the second bracket 284. When the arm 190 (FIGS. 28-30) is deployed,the cable assembly 344 may exert a force F4 on the pin release lever 306of the second bracket 284. The force F4 may cause the pin 220 to movefrom the primary or extended position III (FIG. 17) to the secondary orwithdrawn position IV (FIG. 22).

Referring to FIGS. 28-29, an arm assembly 352 for manually moving theseating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standing positionII is shown. The arm assembly 352 may include an arm 190. The arm 190may be pulled from a rest position (FIG. 28) to a deployed position(FIG. 29) to pull the cable assembly 344. The cable assembly 344 may beconnected to the pin release lever 306 of the pin assembly 224. Abiasing member (spring 348) is shown disposed in the arm assembly 352 tohelp the passenger 12 exert enough force on the arm 190 to move the pin220 from the primary or extended position III to the secondary orwithdrawn position IV. Movement of the pin 220 from the primary orextended position III to the secondary or withdrawn position IV mayallow the sector gear 144 to rotate relative to the mounting bracket 140and around the elongated member 136. As such, the arm 190 may be movedfrom the rest position (FIG. 28) to the deployed position (FIG. 29)during manual actuation for moving the vehicle seating assembly 10 fromthe sitting position I to the standing position II.

Referring to FIGS. 30-32, cable assemblies 344 disposed within thevehicle seating assembly 10 and a block diagram of the seating assemblycontrol module 364 show how movement of the vehicle seating assembly 10from the sitting position I to the standing position II takes place inresponse to an actuation (manual or power) by a passenger 12. Withreference to FIGS. 30-31, cable assemblies 344 are shown disposed withinthe seating assemblies 10. The cable assemblies 344 may be connected toan arm assembly 352 (FIGS. 28-29). As previous explained, during manualactuation of the lift mechanism 124 to move the seating assembly 10 fromthe sitting position I to the standing position II, a passenger 12 maypull an arm 190 to pull the cable assemblies 344 to cause the latchassemblies 168 to release the strikers 176 and to move the pin 220 fromthe primary or inserted position III to the secondary or withdrawnposition IV respective to the hole 228 of the sector gear 144.Thereafter, the passenger 12 may exert the force F1 (FIG. 18) on theseating assembly 10 to move the seating assembly 10 to the standingposition II. The biasing member (clock springs 236) may help thepassenger 12 move the seating assembly 10 from the sitting position I tothe standing position II. When the seating assembly 10 reaches thestanding position II, the pin 220 may move from the secondary orwithdrawn position IV to the primary or inserted position III relativeto the hole 232 of the sector gear 144. As such, manual actuation of themovement of the seating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to thestanding position II may take place.

It is contemplated that the sector gear 144 may be designed to includeintermittent holes between the hole 228 and the hole 232 such that thepin 220 may be placed in an intermittent hole in the extended orsecondary position IV to manually secure the sector gear 144 to themounting bracket 140. As such, the passenger 12 may manually positionthe seating assembly 10 in an intermittent position between the sittingposition I and the standing position II.

With reference to FIGS. 30-31, the cable assemblies 344 may includeelectric cable actuators 356 disposed in the cable assemblies 344. Theelectric cable actuators 356 may be used during power actuation formovement of the seating assembly 10 between the sitting position I andthe standing position II.

With reference to FIG. 32, an example of a block diagram of a vehicle 18including a seating assembly control module 364 is shown to illustratepower actuation of the seating assembly 10. The seating assembly controlmodule 364 may include inputs 368. The inputs 368 may include a separateactivation button 372 that may move the seating assembly 10 between thesitting position I, the standing position II, and intermittent positionstherebetween. The inputs 368 may also include a pair of actuationbuttons 374 that may include a first actuation button 376 and a secondactuation button 380. The first actuation button 376 may move theseating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standing positionII. The second actuation button 380 may move the seating assembly 10from the standing position II to the sitting position I. A controller384 may receive the inputs 368. The controller 384 may include a memory388 having a control routine 392. A processor 396 may execute thecontrol routine 392. The controller 384 may generate the outputs 400.The outputs 400 may include an output 404 for moving the seatingassembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standing position II andan output 408 for moving the seating assembly 10 from the standingposition II to the sitting position I. The output 404 for moving theseating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standing positionII may include a motor 412 for latch assembly cable assemblies 344 and apower actuator 188 for driving a pinion gear 148. The output 408 formoving the seating assembly 10 from the standing position II to thesitting position I may include a power actuator 188 for moving a piniongear 148. As such, powered components are used during power actuation ofa seating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to the standingposition II.

Referring to FIGS. 33-35, the link 316 for tucking the latch assemblies168 under the side brackets 180 as the vehicle seating assembly 10 ismoved from the sitting position I to the standing position II is shown.The link 316 may include a first end 432 and a second end 436. A firstend 432 of the link 316 may be pivotably coupled to the elongated member136 disposed at the forward portion 60A of the seat 60 with pivotablecouplings 120. The second end 436 of the link 316 may be pivotablycoupled to the latch assemblies 168 disposed at the rear portion 60B ofthe seat 60. The latch assemblies 168 may be coupled to the opposingside brackets 180 on both sides of the seat frame 160. The latchassemblies 168 may include latching claws 172 that may be secured to thebase 42 in the sitting position I of the seating assembly 10. The latchassemblies 168 may be detached from the base 42 of the seating assembly10 to move the seating assembly 10 from the sitting position I to thestanding position II. Power actuation or manual actuation of the seatingassembly 10 may result in the latch assemblies 168 being detached fromthe base 42 of the seating assembly 10 so that the seating assembly 10may move from the sitting position I to the standing position II.Displacement of the vehicle seating assembly 10 from the sittingposition I to the standing position II may cause the latch assemblies168 to rotate from a first position substantially transverse to the sidebrackets 180 of the seat frame 160 (untucked position VII) to a secondposition substantially aligned with the side brackets 180 of the seatframe 160 (tucked position VIII). The link 316 may move from an initialposition V when the seat 60 is in the sitting position I to a finalposition VI when the seat 60 is in the standing position II. The firstend 432 of the link 316 may be rotatably coupled to the elongated member136 extending across the forward portion 60A of the seat 60. Theelongated member 136 may extend between opposing mounting brackets 140disposed on the base 42. The first end 432 of the link 316 may becoupled to a linkage 312 that may be rotatably coupled to the elongatedmember 136. The second end 436 of the link 316 may be rotatably coupledto the latch assembly 168.

Referring again to FIGS. 33-35, when the vehicle seating assembly 10 isin the sitting position I, the initial position V of the link 316 may bedefined by the link 316 extending along the floor panel 46. When thevehicle seating assembly 10 is in the standing position II, the finalposition VI of the link 316 may be defined by the link 316 extendingaway from the floor panel 46.

With reference to FIGS. 1-35, a link 316 for a vehicle seating assembly10 includes a first end 432 rotatably coupled to an axis 256 extendingthrough a side bracket 180 of a seat 60 proximate a forward portion 60Aof the seat 60. The link 316 may also include a second end 436 rotatablycoupled to an axis 440 extending through a latch assembly 168 proximatea rear portion 60B of the seat 60. The link 316 moves a latch assembly168 from an untucked position VII to a tucked position VIII as the seat60 moves from a respective sitting position I to a standing position II.In one example, the first axis includes the lift mechanism axis 256. Inone example, the axis 440 is defined by a pivotable coupling between thelatch assembly 168 and the side bracket 180.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-35, the vehicle seating assembly 10 may alsoinclude a linkage 312 rotatable about an elongated member 136 extendingfrom the lift mechanism 124 along the axis 256, wherein the first end432 of the link 316 is pivotably coupled to the linkage 312. The vehicleseating assembly 10 may also include a pivotable coupling on the latchassembly 168, wherein the second end 436 of the link 316 is pivotablycoupled to the pivotable coupling on the latch assembly 168. The link316 may be bent such that the link 316 curves inward toward the seat 60.

With reference to FIGS. 1-35, a link 316 for a vehicle seating assembly10 includes a first end 432 rotatably coupled to a lift mechanism 124disposed at a forward portion 60A of the seat 60. The second end 436 isrotatably coupled to a latch assembly 168 disposed at a rear portion 60Bof the seat 60. The lift mechanism 124 is pivotably coupled to amounting bracket 140 that is fixedly coupled to a base 42. The latchassembly 168 is rotatably coupled to a side bracket 180 of the seat 60.The link 316 rotates the latch assembly 168 from an untucked positionVII when the seat 60 is in the sitting position I to a tucked positionVIII when the seat 60 is in the standing position II. In the untuckedposition VII, the latch assembly 168 may be substantially transverse tothe side bracket 180. In the tucked position VIII, the latch assembly168 may be disposed along the side bracket 180.

The links 316 and the latch assemblies 168 may move with a lift motion(arrow 206) and a tuck motion (arrow 207) (FIG. 7). The lift motion(arrow 206) may allow the links 316 and the latch assemblies 168 to liftupward with the seating assembly 10, and the tuck motion (arrow 207) mayallow the links 316 and the latch assemblies 168 to tuck under theseating assembly 10. As such, the links 316 and the latch assemblies 168may be positioned to minimize interference with the egress and ingressof a passenger 12 relative to a vehicle 18.

A variety of advantages may be derived from the present disclosure. Apassenger 12 may conveniently move a seating assembly 10 between asitting position I and a standing position II by using a power actuator188. The passenger 12 may also conveniently move the seating assembly 10between a sitting position I and a standing position II by using manualactuation that includes a biasing member (clock spring 236) to make themanual actuation process easier. The seating assembly 10 may include alink 316 that may be stored in the contour of the side brackets 180 whenthe seating assembly 10 is in the standing position II.

The pivotable seating assembly is also disclosed in co-pending, commonlyassigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/704,118, entitled SEATING ASSEMBLY, filed on Dec. 5, 2019, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent disclosure, and further it is to be understood that suchconcepts are intended to be covered by the following claims, unlessthese claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lift mechanism for a vehicle seating assembly,comprising: a gear assembly, including: a first gear; and a second gear;and a mounting bracket fixedly coupled to a vehicle and sharing a commonaxis with the first gear, wherein the first and second gears arepositionable in a fixedly coupled arrangement at an initial locationrelative to the mounting bracket or at a final location relative to themounting bracket, such that, when the first and second gears are in thefixedly coupled arrangement at the initial location relative to themounting bracket, the seating assembly is in a sitting position, andsuch that, when the first and second gears are in the fixedly coupledarrangement at the final location relative to the mounting bracket, theseating assembly is in a standing position, wherein the first gearincludes a sector gear, the second gear includes a pinion gear, and theinitial location relative to the mounting bracket is at a first end of acutaway portion in the mounting bracket, and the final location relativeto the mounting bracket is at a second end of the cutaway portion in themounting bracket, and wherein the pinion gear moves along thesubstantially stationary sector gear to move the seating assembly fromthe sitting position to the standing position.
 2. The lift mechanism fora vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a poweractuator for positioning the first and second gears in the fixedlycoupled arrangement at the initial location relative to the mountingbracket and for positioning the first and second gears in the fixedlycoupled arrangement at the final location relative to the mountingbracket.
 3. The lift mechanism for a vehicle seating assembly of claim1, further comprising: a manual actuator for positioning the first andsecond gears in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the initial locationrelative to the mounting bracket and for positioning the first andsecond gears in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the final locationrelative to the mounting bracket.
 4. A vehicle seating assembly,comprising: a seat pivotably coupled to a vehicle at a pivotablecoupling disposed at a forward portion of the seat; and a lift mechanismdisposed between the seat and the vehicle, configured to rotate the seataround the pivotable coupling from a sitting position to a standingposition, and including: a power actuator assembly; and a manualactuator assembly, wherein the lift mechanism comprises a gear assemblyhaving a sector gear and a pinion gear, wherein the power actuatorassembly includes the pinion gear coupled to a power actuator androtatable along the substantially stationary sector gear and from afirst end of a cutaway portion of a mounting bracket to a second end ofthe cutaway portion of the mounting bracket to displace the vehicleseating assembly from the first position to the second position, andwherein the manual actuator assembly includes a pin assembly thatmaintains the sector gear in an initial position relative to themounting bracket when the vehicle seating assembly is in the sittingposition and that maintains the sector gear in a final position relativeto the mounting bracket when the vehicle seating assembly is in thestanding position.
 5. A vehicle seating assembly, comprising: anelongated member disposed at a forward portion of a seat and extendingbetween opposing side brackets of the seat; a mounting bracket fixedlycoupled to the vehicle seating assembly; a sector gear arrangeable in anattached relationship or a detached relationship relative to themounting bracket; a pinion gear operably coupled with the sector gear; afirst actuator coupled to a side bracket of the seat and configured todrive the pinion gear; and a second actuator, wherein the first actuatoris engageable to rotate the pinion gear along the sector gear to movethe vehicle seating assembly between a first position and a secondposition, wherein the second actuator is engageable to position thesector gear in a detached relationship relative to the mounting bracketto release the sector gear to rotate around the elongated member betweenan initial position and a final position, wherein the first actuator isa power actuator, wherein the second actuator is a manual actuator,wherein the manual actuator includes a pin assembly, wherein the pinassembly includes a pin movable between a primary position and asecondary position relative to the sector gear and the mounting bracket,wherein, in the primary position, the pin extends into a hole in thesector gear to maintain the sector gear in an attached relationshiprelative to the mounting bracket, and wherein, in the secondaryposition, the pin is retracted from the hole in the sector gear tomaintain the sector gear in a detached relationship relative to themounting bracket, wherein the hole includes a first hole and a secondhole, wherein the pin is insertable into the first hole to maintain thesector gear in the attached relationship relative to the bracket whenthe vehicle seating assembly is in the first position, and wherein thepin is insertable into the second hole to maintain the sector gear inthe fixed relationship relative to the bracket when the vehicle seatingassembly is in the second position.
 6. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 5, wherein the first position is a sitting position, and whereinthe second position is a standing position.
 7. The vehicle seatingassembly of claim 6, further comprising: a biasing member disposedproximate the elongated member and the sector gear and biased to movethe seating assembly from the sitting position to the standing positionin response to a displacement of the pin from the primary position tothe secondary position.
 8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7,wherein the biasing member comprises a clock spring.
 9. The vehicleseating assembly of claim 5, wherein the pin assembly includes a biasingmember for moving the pin from the secondary position to the primaryposition when the pin is disposed over the hole of the sector gear. 10.A vehicle seating assembly, comprising: an elongated member disposed ata forward portion of a seat and extending between opposing side bracketsof the seat; a mounting bracket fixedly coupled to the vehicle seatingassembly; a sector gear arrangeable in an attached relationship or adetached relationship relative to the mounting bracket; a pinion gearoperably coupled with the sector gear; a first actuator coupled to aside bracket of the seat and configured to drive the pinion gear; and asecond actuator, wherein the first actuator is engageable to rotate thepinon gear along the sector gear to move the vehicle seating assemblybetween a first position and a second position, wherein the secondactuator is engageable to position the sector gear in a detachedrelationship relative to the mounting bracket to release the sector gearto rotate around the elongated member between an initial position and afinal position, wherein the first actuator is a power actuator, whereinthe second actuator is a manual actuator, wherein the manual actuatorincludes a pin assembly, and, wherein the manual actuator furthercomprises a cable assembly, and wherein the cable assembly is coupled tothe pin assembly.
 11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, whereinthe pin assembly comprises a lever coupled to the cable assembly,wherein when a tension force is exerted on the cable assembly, then thelever moves a pin from a primary position to a secondary position,respectively.
 12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, wherein thelever includes a first end for receiving a bushing of the cable assemblyand a second end for receiving the pin.